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Audrey Mary Johnston 10450K 2023-09-01

What better to do than to give it for Mistress Evelyn Byrd? Evelyn, who

had had for all her suitors only a slow smile and shake of the head;

Evelyn, as older than her years; Evelyn, as his friend as he was

hers Love! He had left that land behind, and she had never touched its

shores; the geography of the poets to the contrary, it did not lie in the

course of all who passed through life He made his suit, and now he had

his answer

If he did not take trouble to wonder at her confession, or to modestly ask

himself how he had deserved her love, neither did he insult her with pity

or with any lightness of thought Nor was he ready to believe that his

rejection was final Apparently indifferent as he was, it was yet his way

to oal he

desired to reach He thought that Fair Viewinto the crossroad that, running south and east, would take

him back to the banks of the James and to his own house, he had not

slackened speed, but now, as he saw through the trees before hi of rail fence, he drew rein The road turned, and a gate barred his

way When he had opened it and passed through, he was upon his own land

He had ridden off his irritation, and could now calmly tell himself that

the blunder was made and over with, and that it was the duty of the